Sheriff Phillip E. Thompson

Phillip E. Thompson, Sheriff

Welcome to the Horry County Sheriff's Office website. I hope that you find the information we have provided to be useful and easy to locate. Our staff is working hard to offer the insight we believe you most desire to have into your community, your County, and your Sheriff's Office. Each member of our staff understands that we are here to assist with your needs and ensure that your experience in Horry County, whether you are a guest or resident, is as enjoyable and safe as possible. I am proud to be the Sheriff of Horry County and I am extremely proud of the fine men and women of this Office who dedicate themselves to serving our citizens with a professional approach and a positive attitude. While I am proud of this website, I am also an "old-fashioned" kind of guy who believes the convenience of e-mail and internet should never replace the personal touch that can be felt during a telephone call or a friendly office visit. For that reason, we have provided our telephone number with our office address and welcome you to call or stop by at any time.

Mission Statement

To provide quality law enforcement, detention, court security and civil services to the citizens and visitors of Horry County, by treating others with dignity and respect, while being good stewards of the public’s trust.

News

The Horry County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce that the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association has selected Sheriff Phillip E. Thompson as the Association's 2017 Sheriff of the Year.

In order to be eligible for the award, Sheriff Thompson had to be nominated by at least one of his fellow Sheriffs. In a rare move, multiple Sheriffs nominated Sheriff Thompson for the award this year. In nominating Sheriff Thompson, Sheriffs Hunt, Faile, Foster and Tanner said in a combined letter, "Sheriff Phillip Thompson's commitment to serving others and his innovative approach to law enforcement makes him uniquely qualified to be honored as our Sheriff of the Year."

Sheriff Phillip E. Thompson is a 38-year veteran of law enforcement and gained his experience with both the Myrtle Beach and Horry County Police Departments before being elected Sheriff of Horry County in January of 2001. Since his election as Sheriff, Phillip E. Thompson has been an advocate for the Sheriffs' Association and works tirelessly to promote the Association in a positive light across the state and to mentor new Sheriffs. Sheriff Thompson also received the 2016 South Strand Republican Club "Terry Cooper Award" for his outstanding contributions to the citizens of Horry County.

Sheriff Thompson's commitment to assisting others led to the creation of the only in-house drug treatment program for inmates in South Carolina, which is a model for incarceration treatment programs in the Southeast. The program is a therapeutic community program that addresses addiction and criminogenic thinking processes over an intensive three phase program that lasts up to two years in the detention center and two more years in halfway houses. The program is highly successful and touts an average 70% success rate. The success of the program prompted the South Carolina Department of Corrections Youthful Offenders Intensive Supervision Services to partner with the Horry County Sheriff’s Office as a reentry program for youth offenders. As a result of the three year partnership, Sheriff Thompson was awarded the Young Offender Parole and Reentry Services Judge Bill Byars Community Partner Award in Law Enforcement by Governor Nikki Haley in May of 2016.

The Sheriffs' Association's Sheriff of the Year Award was presented to Sheriff Thompson at the Association's Annual Conference, which was held in Myrtle Beach last night. In celebration of Sheriff Thompson receiving this esteemed award, Moseley Architects, a longtime supporter of the SC Sheriffs' Association, will present Sheriff Thompson with a check for $1,000 for the Horry County Sheriffs' Office. Todd Davis, a representative for Moseley Architects, said, "Moseley Architects loves to see law enforcement agencies have positive impacts in their communities. It is clear that Sheriff Thompson and the entire Horry County Sheriff’s Office have done a remarkable job and deserve to be rewarded for their efforts." Davis went on to say, "We hope Sheriff Thompson can use this donation to further implement his vision for the Horry County Sheriff's Office. It is our belief that this award will yield greater things not only for the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, but also for the citizens of Horry County."